Residence Life

Taken from the Student Handbook ( Updated July 2008 )

Policy:
Messiah College is primarily a residential campus. All single, full-time students under the age of 22 are required to live on campus. Exceptions are granted to students with non-traditional status (those over the age of 22, students with families, and married students living locally). Junior and senior students may also be granted an exception to this residency requirement. In order to be considered for this exception, junior and senior students must complete the following application process:

Procedure:

• Meet the minimum credit hour requirement (57 not including AP or CLEP by the end of your 4th semester) prior to the deadline/application.
  
• Attend an off-campus housing orientation (Dates will be sent via Mass email and on the Residence Life website)
  
• Submit a completed off-campus housing application to the Office of Residence Life prior to the deadline set by the office. A complete application includes the application form, a parental letter of support and attending an off-campus orientation meeting
  
• Provide a letter of support from parent or guardian (unless classified as independent student by Office of Financial Aid).
  
• Maintain good standing with the College. Good standing is defined as not being on academic or chapel probation. And not being on disciplinary probation within the six months prior to application. In addition, previous alcohol or drug violations may prevent a student from being approved to live off-campus.
  
• Confirm with the Financial Aid Office that aid package is not affected by living off campus.
  
• Sign off-campus housing contract.
  
• Do NOT enter into a lease or rental agreement until you have received official approval from the Office of Residence Life. If you sign a lease or rental agreement without having received this approval, you may be liable to the landlord for rent even though you are required to live on campus.

Expectations:
Students who have been extended the privilege of living off campus remain members of the Messiah College community. They are obligated to honor their commitments to Messiah’s community standards as outlined in the Community Covenant, Off-Campus contract and the current student handbook. In addition to these College standards, off-campus students are also expected to abide by the local laws and ordinances of their communities. It is expected that students living off campus will be good ambassadors of Christ and Messiah College. In addition to representing Messiah College, as members of this Christian community, we are called to be “salt and light” in the world—this includes our local communities. As such, it is expected that off-campus students will be good neighbors, respectful and considerate of the rights and needs of neighbors, always being sensitive to issues regarding noise, parking, guests, upkeep of dwelling, etc. With regard to these and other “courtesy issues,” it is expected that students living off campus will always defer to the needs of their neighbors in addition to parameters outlined by local township ordinances. The use, possession, and/or distribution of alcohol is prohibited for Messiah College students living off campus while enrolled during the academic year (See Alcohol Policy). Off-campus students are responsible for the behavior of their guests. It is also expected that off-campus students will abide by visitation standards outlined for students living in on-campus apartments. (See visitation policy).

Loss of Off-Campus Housing Privilege:
• Students determined to be responsible for violating College standards and/or federal, state or local laws will have the privilege of living off campus revoked. This will result in the student’s mandatory return to on-campus housing

Late Application Exception:
• The Housing Office may approve late application received after the deadline if certain conditions exist. An administrative fee will be assessed. Student should contact the housing office to apply for an exception.

Special Notes

• All students, if approved, must complete  the online housing agreement, during housing selection times.
• By signing the off-campus housing agreement you agree that the Housing Office will cancel any on-campus housing assignment for the term you have been approved to live off campus. 
• If you choose to return to campus you off-campus housing privilege will be revoked and you will need to apply again in the event that you wish to live off-campus.

Important Off-Campus Housing Links
Home	Process/Timeline
FAQs	Resources

 

updated 9/26/08